Even though I have been much calmer these past few days, I came across something tonight that really pushed my buttons. I normally do not read the local paper, especially the "Letters to the Editor" section, because they tend to publish inflammatory material and things to get a rise out of people. Well, on this occasion, they succeeded!
I went to pick up a pizza at a local pizza place this evening, and while I was waiting for it, picked up the front page section of today's edition of the Danville Advocate Messenger. I was thumbing through it, when a letter on the last page caught my attention, entitled "Always Support Troops, Not War." Hmmm. That hits a little close to home, so I decided to see what they had to say. The link to the letter follows.
http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews/opinion/amn-always-supports-troops-not-war-20111102,0,5406221.story
These letters outrage me, even more today as the significant other of a member of the Armed Forces. I am not here to criticize the decisions of this President or the ones who came before him, but regardless of whether sending forces to the Middle East was right or wrong, openly questioning the legitimacy of this war undermines the sacrifices of ALL of our troops, both past and current, and their families supporting them at home. Saying this war is unjustifiable and pointless while at the same time saying you "Support Our Troops" is the same as saying that you follow a certain religon but don't always find it necessary to adhere to all of it's teachings. In the end, we are ALL Americans, and we all have stake in this war whether we like it or not.
"Whether one agreed with the Iraq war or not, we all own it now. That's how our country works. Every single brave man and woman who wore the uniform overseas went over there wearing the American flag, representing us and our nation's ideals. Now, the time has finally come for all of them to return home on December 31, 2011. And a new front awaits back here.
One president began the Iraq war. Another ended it. But it was yet another commander-in-chief, President Lincoln, who said, "Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan. That work isn't done. And until it is, I won't consider the Iraq war over."
This quote comes from an article written by a veteran of the war in Iraq named Paul Rieckhoff. (http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/28/opinion/rieckhoff-iraq-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) I read this opinion piece a few days prior to reading the one that inflamed me so, and I could not agree with him more. We all own this war, as we all own this country. We should support this country and those who support it, instead of relying on this country to support us. The men and women of our Armed Forces swear to defend our Country, and to do that they agree to take orders handed down to them by our country's Commander in Chief. Who we "collectively" elected, by the way!
So all I am asking is to use a little consideration before you go slinging around the words "pointless" and "stupid." I am just as unhappy as you are about our troops being there, and pray for the day they will all come home. (Which, on a sidenote and in case you missed it, isn't necessarily happening with this drawdown. See this article which specifically refers to "My" soldier http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/KY_Soldiers_may_find_new_mission_after_Iraq_132351383.html :)
So whatever happens, whether Jar and his buddies come home sooner than expected, or are left to fight an even more dangerous war in the aftermath of an "unoccupied" Iraq, I will support them. As I will support, though not always agree with, this President and this Great Nation, Under God. With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
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